Results 12,961-12,980 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector Issues (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I believe that Ireland's agri-food sector has a role to play in assisting Ethiopia and other African countries to reach their full potential in developing sustainable agriculture production. During the 3rd Africa Ireland Economic Forum, held in Dublin in October 2013, I met my counterpart from Ethiopia, Mr. Tefera Derbew, to discuss current developments in the agri-food sectors in Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector Issues (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The trade mission to Nigeria took place from 13 to 15 November last. It was organised by Enterprise Ireland and led by my colleague Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello. The visit was part of a wider programme that also encompassed South Africa. The overall aim of the visit was to develop trade in this important emerging market in Africa. Nigeria is the most populous...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: While an application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 April 2013, as the person named does not hold any payment entitlements, there is no payment due to the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme. Payment under 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 October 2009 and received payments for the first four years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. During an on-farm inspection in 2013 an issue was discovered...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Appeals (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: While the person named contends that the 2013 SFP application form was submitted on their behalf my Department has no record of the person named having lodged an application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme. Unfortunately, the subsequent documentation submitted did not enable my Department to form the view that the application was submitted on time. The person named lodged an appeal to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The 2013 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%, in respect of the Single Farm Payment Scheme. Based on the Terms and Conditions of this scheme,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: A review of the land declared by the person named under the Single Payment Scheme revealed that several of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. The farmer in question was written to by my Department and informed of the outcome of the review. He was also informed that a ground verification check would be arranged to clarify the matter. The applicant will be contacted...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Payment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 27 January 2014, immediately the holding of the person named was confirmed as having satisfied the minimum stocking density requirements of the 2013 Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scéim Talmhaíochta (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Chuaigh an duine ainmnithe isteach sa Scéim REPS 4 i mí Eanáir 2010 agus fuair íocaíochtaí don chéad trí bliana den chonradh. Is beart faoin gClár um Fhorbairt Tuaithe 2007-13 é REPS 4 agus bíonn sé faoi réir rialachán AE a éilíonn go dtugtar seiceálacha riaracháin mionsonraithe ar gach iarratas chun...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Management (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The application for a General Felling Licence from the above named was received in my Department on 3rd May 2013. The postal address stated on the application form was that of the applicant’s forestry company. A General Felling Licence issued to the applicant on 31st October 2013 to the address on the application form, i.e. to his forestry company. Therefore, the applicant should...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Early Retirement Scheme (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: A participant in the early retirement from farming can purchase land for the purpose of leasing it out. Such a participant would not be in contravention of the scheme conditions once they did not revert to farming themselves.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the new Direct Payment Regulation, there are a number of dates relating to various aspects of the new Schemes by which Member States must notify the Commission of the national arrangements under Pillar I. As there is an option for the review of certain decisions throughout the period of the Scheme, the process of notification is ongoing. The earliest notification date relevant to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: To participate in the Basic Payment Scheme and related schemes a person must be an ‘active farmer’ as defined in the Direct Payment Regulation. Only persons who fulfil one of the following can be considered as an ‘active farmer’ and will be eligible to receive a direct payment: a. A ‘farmer’ is defined as a person who carries out an agricultural...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (13 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the new regime, which will replace the Single Payment Scheme in 2015, with four separate elements, viz (i) the Basic Payment, (ii) the Greening element, (iii) the Top-up for Young Farmers and (iv) the coupled Aid for Protein. However, with discussions on-going at EU level on both the delegated Act and the implementing Act, it is not possible, at this stage, to indicate precisely what...

Temporary Relocation of European Police College: Referral to Joint Committee (18 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I move:That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Resources (18 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this genuine issue. I know that he comes from the heartland of the whitefish fleet in Castletownbere and this is primarily a whitefish fleet issue. We have tried to do what we can within the rules and regulations. That is why, for example, in terms of a Government response, we have committed nearly €9 million to repair over 100 harbours and piers...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Resources (18 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I share the Deputy's concerns. Many people do not understand how the fishing industry works. Those who work on a trawler receive a percentage of the catch rather than being paid a salary as such. Essentially, they are sole traders working on somebody else's boat, with the result that they do not have easy access to social welfare without a time-consuming assessment procedure. We need to...

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Prices (18 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy McNamara for raising this important issue. I spent considerable time discussing the issue with the IFA this afternoon. The value of Irish beef exports was estimated at almost €2.1 billion in 2013. This export performance, which was based on a wide portfolio of customers, has contributed significantly to higher returns for Irish beef in recent years and reflects the...

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Prices (18 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Nobody talks up the beef sector more than I do.